Switch for electric lamps



(No Model.)

H R QUINBY SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

N0. 571,791. Patented Nov; 24, 1896.

NITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

HENRY R. QUINBY, OF ROCHESTER, NElY YORK.

SWITCH FOR ELECTFHC LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,791, dated November 2-4, 1898.

Application filed December l, 1895. Serial No. 571,072. (No model-l To (LZZ whom, it nm/j concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY R. QUINBY, of Rocheste in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switches for Electric Lamps; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the drawings accompanying this application.

My improvement relates to switches for high-tension electric lamps, so arranged that in case any particular lamp is detached from its hangings, in whole or in part, the current is maintained through the main line notwithstanding that particular lamp is out of circuit.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elc\'a tion of an electric lamp with my improvement attached. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the switchboard O, looking on the under side. Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevation of the hanger and switch board, showing the openhook connection between said parts.

A indicates an ordinary high-tension lamp permanently attached to a lamp-board l which forms its top, and which in turn is sus pended from the hanger-board O in such a manner that it can be removed at any time. For this purpose the lamp-board 13 is provided with open hooks a a, which are hung on the side pieces I) Z) of squ re-shaped yokes I) l), pivoted on the under side of the hanger-board. These side pieces Z) Z) have projecting ends Z) 1 which rest under metallic pins 0 c, projecting down from the hanger-board. The pivots of the yokes consist of bolts (Z d, attached to lugs ff of metallic plates E E, secured to the under side of the hanger-board. Around the bolts are torsion-springs g g, which tend to swing the yokes up, so that the parts 1) b of the yokes come in contact with the pins 0 0; but they are held separated from the pins by the weight of the lamp overcoming the springs. In case, however, the

hook on one side or the other becomes detached the yoke on that side is forced up by the spring in contact with the pin 0.

G G are two metallic plates attached to the under side of the hanger-board and provided with two binding-posts 7L h, with which connect the two wires 1 2 oi? the main line. To these plates G G are pivoted at i 2' two arms H H, one of which, ll, has a projecting handle I, made of insulatingmaterial. These two arms .li. H are connected by a rod K, also made of insulating material. By operating the handle the arms swing inward and outward. \Vhen swung out, the ends of the two arms connect with two outer contact-plates 7t 7t, forming parts of the conducting-plates E E, and when swung inward they separate from said outer contact-plates Z Z, which are isolated or stand alone. The electrical connections, aside from the main wires 1 2, consist of a wire 3, connecting the two inner contact-plates Z Z, a wire 4, connecting the pin a with the metallic bearing-plate E, and a wire 5, connecting pin 0 with the metallic bearing E on the opposite side.

Under normal conditions, with the hooks a (t engaged with the yokes D D, suspending the lamp, the handle I is turned so that the two arms ll ii are in connection with the two outer contact-plates 7t 7.1, as shown by full lines in Fig. In this case the current passes from wire 1 through arms G H, contact 7t, plate E, yoke D, through the lamp, thence through yoke 1), plate E, arms H G", and out through wire 2. In case the hook of the lamp is detached on one side, the yoke D on that side being separated from the hook (I, the yoke springs up against the pin 0 and a new circuit is established-via, from wire 1 through arms G 11, contact it, plate E, yoke D, pin 0, (with which the yoke is then in contact,) wire 4-, plate E, contact It, arms H G, and out through wire 2, thus preserving i11- tegrity of the main line notwithstanding this particular lamp is out of circuit. The same result occurs if the yoke D on the opposite side is detached from its hook, the connection then being made from wire 1 through arms G H, plate 'E, wire 5, pin 0, yoke D, (then in contact with pin c,) plate E, arms H G, and out through wire 2. If both yokes are detached, as in removing the lamp, the same result is produced, as the closing of the yoke D with pin 0 makes a connection from -E to E through wire i.

To rem ove the lamp, the handle Iis thrown, bringing the parts into the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. 2, the arms ll ll being ICO shifted to contact with the inner isolated c011- taet-plates Z Z. The circuit is then from wire 1 through plates G H, contact I, wire 3, contaet Z, arin ll, plate G, and out throu gh wire I11 such case the lamp is cut out from the circuit and can be handled with safety.

Having described my invention, what- I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electric-lamp switch, the combination, with. the lamp-board B and hanger-board O, of the yokes D D pivoted to the hangerboard so as to turn up and down; the springs g g for forcing the yokes upward; the contact-pins c c resting in line with the yokes and against which the yolces strike; and the open hooks a a attached to the lainp-boardand en gaging with the yokes an d drawing them down i from contact with the pins; as shown and de- T scribed and for the purpose specified.

2. In an electric-lain switch the combina- In witness whereof I have hereunto signed a my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY it. (gU'lkz'll'i'.

\Vitnesses:

R. 11, Osoooo, Gnonen A. Gimpn'rrm. 

